Tiltable form for pre-cast building units



June 14, 1966 G, W SUMNER TILTABLE FORM FOR PRE-CAST BUILDING UNITSFiled Sept. lO, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .p m o: mw M www T wf d .IM M f M:L ff @E IS WSMT w K Q% -1E II NN I Th mw mw w fm ww mw QW I QM M, Rw NkMQ I l l June 14, 1966 G. W. SUMNER TILTABLE FORM FOR PRE-CAST BUILDINGUNITS Filed Sept. lO, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY M MM June 14, 1966 G. W.SUMNER 3,255,991

TILTABLE FORM FOR PRE-CAST BUILDING UNITS Filed Sept. l0, 1962 4Sheets-Shed 3 FIG. 4

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TILTABLE FORM FOR PRE-CAST BUILDING UNITS d /z 12 if 412 MM @fd/@wfUnited States Patent O 3,255,991 TILTABLE FORM FOR PRE-CAST BUILDINGUNITS George W. Sumner, 2300 Prater Way, No. 134, Sparks, Nev. FiledSept. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 222,712 Claims. (Cl. 249-437) This inventionrelates t-o a tiltable form for pre-cast units such as walls, panels,beams,'columns, etc., of the type which are generally cast fromconcrete. This is a continuation-in-part application of -my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 759,620, tiled September 8, 1958, now abandoned.

Prior to this invention the building industry erected structures using apre-cast unit, such as a wall, by tilting the wall up from a horizontalto a vertical position with cranes. If the wall section was particularlylarge, it was cast in a horizontal position at the building site,usually on the floor of the building already laid. After the concrete inthe wall had set, the wall was raised by attaching one or more cranes toone edge, and slowly raising the wall by that edge, the opposite edge ofthe wall serving as a fulcrum. The wall was then lifted and carried tothe site where it was to be erected, and then lowere-d by the cranesinto the proper position.

The disadvantage of the foregoing procedure is that heavy cranes orhoists and crews comprising several men must be used to move the unitsto the desired position, and the cast wall must ordinarily 'bethoroughly cured before it can be raised by the cranes, because of. therela.- tively large stress placed on the wall in lifting it.

This invention provides a system for building with precast units withoutthe use of heavy cranes or hoists, making it possible for only one ortwo men to cast units and erect them in the desired location. Moreover,the invention substantially reduces the time normally required forcuring the units before they can be lifted into position, because themolded units can be removed from their forms within a matter of a fewhours, the actual time being controlled by the setting rate of thecement used.

3,255,991 Patented .lune 14, 1966 Support means are included to securethe upper edge of the unit, when tilted in the upright position, to theupper edge of the platform, and means are provi-ded for moving thesupport means downwardly with respect to the platform so that the castunit can be lowered when the platform is in the vertical position.

In the presently preferred form, a plurality of support means areattached to the cast unit at spaced locations, and means are providedfor simultaneously lowering the support means so the cast unit isuniformly lowered through its horizontal extent.

In casting and erecting large units, say :a wall 100 feet long and 24feet high, the platform is preferably tilted by a plurality oflongitudinally spaced hydraulic cylinders and pistons. The pistons areoperated simultaneously so the entire platform and cast unit are raiseduniformly into a vertical position. Preferably, means are provided forsensing the rate at which the cylinders are operated.

In terms of appartus for erecting a pre-cast structural unit, theinvention contemplates a platform or table mounted on a support to tiltfrom a substantially horizontal position to an upright position. Meansare included for mounting a unit on the platform when the platform ishorizontal, and means are provided for tilting the platform and castunit to an upright position after the unit has set. Means are providedfor disengaging the unit from the platform so the unit can be left in anupright position. l

In the preferred form of the invention, apparatus is arranged so theunit can 'be tilted to a vertical position above a .foundation bearing,and means are provided for disengaging and slowly lowering the pre-castunit from the platform onto the foundation bearing. Preferably, the unitis tilted about a horizontal axis passing substantially through itscenter of gravity so that a minimum amount of force is required to startthe unit to tilt and restrain it from tilting once it has begun, andalso so a minimum strain is imposed on the platform and unit during thetilting operation.

Preferably, a mold is mounted on top of the platform so the unit can becast directly on the platform when in the horizontal position. Forconvenience of reference, the face of the platform which supports themold is referred to as the front when the platform and mold are in theupright position. With the platform and mold in the horizontal position,those edges which become the top and bottom when the platform and moldare vertical are referred to as rear and front, respectively. The bottomedge of the mold, when the platform is tilted to the upright or verticalposition, is movable with respect to the platform.

If one portion of the unit tends to lead the rest during the elevatingoperation, the appropriate cylinder or cylinders are temporarilyinactivated to bring all portions of the cast unit into desiredalignment.

lIn handling relatively large units such as the wall just mentioned, itis often desirable to provide both longitudinal and lateral support toprevent the unit from sagging as it is lifted. For convenience ofreference, the lateral direction is assumed to be parallel to the pivotaxis of the platform, and the longitudinal direction is perpendicular toit. In one form of the invention, this result is achieved by suspending`a longitudinal arch wire in tension from the rear to the front of themold over the cast unit. The central portion of the arch wire rests onan upright stanchion which bears downwardly against the central portionof a cast unit to prevent longitudinal sagging. A similar result isachieved in the lateral direction by the use of a lateral arch wiresecured at opposite ends to adjacent pistons under the mold. A jack orstanchion in the center portion of each lateral wire bears upwardlyagainst the bottom of the platform between adjacent pistons, andrestrains the cast unit from lateral sagging.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed descriptlon and the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the platform and a'castwall in a horizontal position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken on line 2-2 of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a view of the rear of the platform in the vertical position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the front of the platform and castunit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the cylmders are synchronizedto tilt the cast unit uniformly to an ri ht osition' and upFIgG is afragmentary elevation similar to FIG. 5

Vand showing an alternate system for lowering the cast unit.

Referring to FIGS. l, 2, and 3, an elongated rectangular scaffold orsupport 10 rests on the subfloor 12 `of a building under construction.The platform is made up of a plurality of vertial stanchions 14 arrangedin lateral and longitudinal rows and secured together by diagonal crossbars 16. A

An elongated rectangular platform 20 rests on the upper ends of thestanchions of the support and is mounted by horizontal and laterallyextending pivot pins 21 on the upper ends of stanchions in the frontlateral row to pivot about a horizontal aXis.' As shown in FIG. 4, theplatform is substantially the same width as the support, but is severaltimes higher when tilted to the vertical position shown in FIG. 4. Theplatform is cantilevered a relatively short distance over the forwardedge of the support by a distance approximately equal to the height ofthe support so that when the platform is tilted in a clockwise (asviewed in FIG. 1) direction, the lower edge 22 of the platform comes torest a short distance above an elongated laterally extending foundationbearing 23.

One of the advantages in supporting the platform by horizontal pivotpins fairly close -to the lower end of the platform is that thescaffolding and platform (when in the horizontal position) need not bemore than a few feet above the ground when the concrete is poured. Thisis a considerable advantage in dumping concrete from conventional cementtrucks.

As is shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the platform includes a plurality oflongitudinal channel pieces 24 secured back to back at laterally spacedintervals. A plurality of lateral stringers 26, in the form of L-shapedbars, are secured at their opposite ends between adjacent longitudinalchannel pieces 24. A Hat board 28 is mounted on top of the platform andsecured to the longitudinal and lateral members to form a smooth bottomof a mold 30 having side screed boards 32, a top screed board 35, and abottom screed board 36. A concrete wall 37, or any other structure, iscast in conventional fashion wi-thin the mold. The top, bottom, and sidescreed boards are removably secured to the bottom of the mold bycountersunk bolts 38 and nuts 40, as shown in FIG. 3, for the bottomscreed board. A plurality of upwardly extending hydraulic cylinders 42are secured at their respective lower ends by a laterally extendingrespective pivot pin 43 to a separate respective longitudinal brace 44.The opposite ends of each brace 44 are rigidly secured to the forwardand rear bottom edges of the support to increase its rigidity andstrength.

A strength set of telescoping pistons 48 is mounted in each cylinder,and the upper end of the smallest piston in each set is secured by atransverse pivot pin 50 to the central portion of a heavy frame 52,which extends a substantial distance longitudinally under the platformand is rigidly attached to it. Thus, the force exerted by each piston isdistributed by its respective frame over a substantial area of thebottom of the platform. Each cylinder is supplied hydraulic fluidthrough a line 54 connected to a pump 56, which is powered by a motor 58(FIG. 7).

A separate lateral arch wire 60 is secured at its opposite ends betweenadjacent frames.52. A separate jack 62 is mounted at the central portionof each arch wire to bear against the wire in the underside of channelmembers 24 in the platform. Thus, by suitably adjusting theV jacks, thelateral arch wires are placed in tension to provide vertical support forthe platform between the frames 52. This prevents the platform fromtending4 to sag or develop waviness in the lateral direction, and stillpermits the platform to be of relatively light weight construction so itcan easily be tilted with a minimum amount of equipment and power.

The platform and cast wall are prevented from sagging in thelongitudinal direction by a plurality of laterally spaced andlongitudinally extending support arch wires 65 secured at their oppositeends to anchors 66 mounted on the forward and rear edges of theplatform. The central por-tion of each arch wire is supported by anupright stanchion 68 mounted on a laterally extending board '70 whichrests on the cast wall. The desired tension in the longitudinal supportarch wires is obtained by adjusting a respective turnbuckle 72 mountedin each wire. Each longitudinal arch wire extends through an eyebolt 74mounted on the upper end of each of the support stanchions 68.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, a laterally extending sensing wire 76 isattached at its opposite ends to the sides of the bottom of theplatform. The wire is attached to each control button 78 on switches S0secured to the underside of the platform. As shown best in FIGS. 4 and7, a separate switch 80 is mounted on a respective channel memberadjacent each frame 52. Each switch controls the supply of electricalpower from a conventional source 82 (FIG. 7) to a respective motor 58for each pump 56. A master switch S4 controls a supply of power to theindividual switches 80, which are normally closed. When switch 84 isclosed, the motors 58 are turned on to operate the pumps 52 to supplyhydraulic fluid under pressure to each of the cylinders 42. The platformhas some degree of flexibility as it is raised to the vertical position,and if one portion of its 'tends to move ahead of the rest, the wire 76pulls the control button 7 8 of the appropriate switch, and the motorfor the cylinder controlling that section is momentarily turned offuntil the section is again in line with the remainder of the platform.

As shown best in FIGS. 4 and 6, `a plurality of threaded support rods 86each extend through a conventional Saginaw screw 33 mounted on a bracket89 secured to the upper (as viewed in FIG. 4) edge 4of the platform.Each Saginaw screw rests on a thrust bearing 9), and includes `aconventional reversible ratchet mechanism 91, so that as a lever 92 isreciprocated, the threaded support rod S6 moves up `or down, dependingon the setting of the ratchet. The ratchet levers 92 are in pairsconnected by a link 93. A motor 94 turns a crank 95, which drives a rod96 connected between the crank and one of the ratchet levers 92. Thus,when each motor 94 is turned on, its crank is revolved to reciprocatethe ratchet levers connected to it. The lower end of each support rod 86is threaded into a respective fitting 97 welded to a horizontal pipe 9S.A plurality of support cables 99 are looped over the pipe 98. The lowerends of each loop are secured to a swivel 100 which is attached to theupper end of a bolt 191 that extends down the top screed rail 35 and isthreaded into a nut 102 imbedded in the concrete wall 37. Thus, theloops can be released from the wall by simply unscrewing the bolt 101from the nut 192. A loop of anchor wire 104 is disposed around areinforcing rod 106 in the wall. The ends of the anchor wire are weldedto the nut 102. The bolts, nuts, loops, reinforcing rods, and horizontalpipe are installed at the time the wall is poured.

The operation of the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 is as follows.The cylinders and pistons are retracted so that the platform rests in ahorizontal position on the support `as shown in FIG. 1. In thiscondition, the cylinder and pistons extend upwardly and slightlyrearwardly. The top, bottom, and side screed boards are fastened inposition as shown in FIG. 1. Reinforcing rods are located as requiredwithin the mold, and any doors and windows that are to be formed in thewall are blocked out by conventional techniques. The lowering nuts 102and bolts 101 are set in position as shown in FIG. 6. The anchor wires104 are disposed around reinforcing rods 106 within the mold, and theends of the wires 104 are welded to the nuts 192. The concrete is thenpoured into the top of the mold and worked flat. The lateral supportarch wires 60 are secured under the platform `as shown in FIG. 3 andplaced under tension before the concrete is poured into the mold. Thisprevents lateral or transverse sagging or waviness in the wall.

As soon as the concrete takes an initial set, the support boards 70 aredisposed across it, and the upright stanchions 68 are mounted as shownin FIG. 1 to hold the longitudinal support arch wires 64, which areplaced in desired tension by the turnbuckles 72.

After the wall has set for 8 to 24 hours, and considerably sooner thanit could be lifted by a crane without other support, it is tilted into avertical position by closing switch 84 to turn on the pump motors thatsupply hydraulic fluid to the cylinders 42. Pistons 48 telescopeoutwardly from the cylinders, which swing slowly in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in FIG. 1) about their respective pivot pins, andthe wall is raised gently and uniformly to a vertical position over thefoundation bearing 23. If one section of the wall should tend to pullahead of adjacent sections the appropriate switch Sil is actuated by thewire 76 to turn off the pump supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder inthe section that is leading the rest of the wall. As soon as the restVof the wall catches up with the advanced section, that switch is againclosed so that all sections advance together.

After the wall reaches the vertical position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, thepumps are stopped, and the bottom and side screed rails are removed sothat the .wall is free to slide down the smooth bottom of the mold. Thecrank motors 94 are turned on, after the ratchets 91 have been set sothat the support rods 86 are lowered as the cranks 95 turn.

After the bottom edge of the wall has come to rest on the foundationbearing 23, the cranks are stopped, and the wall is sealed to thefoundation with grout and temporarily supported by braces (not shown) topermit the grout to set. If desired, a steel track 1% (FIG. 6), whichmay have been installed in the mold before the wall was cast, in thebottom edge of the wall `comes to rest on plates 109 anchored in thefoundation bearing and is welded to them before the application ofgrout.

The supporting loops at the upper edge of the wall are released byunscrewing the bolt 101, and the platform is now free to be pulled awayfrom the wall and set up at the next site of operation.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate arrangement for lowering the cast wall fromthe top edge of the platform. The horizontal support pipe 98 is disposedthrough loops 99 removably secured to the top edge of the wall as shownin FIG. 6. The horizontal pipe is supported by a pair of support cables11i) attached at their lower ends to eyes 111 secured to the pipe. Theupper portion of each cable is wound around a respective drum 112mounted on the top edge of the platform to rotate on a shaft 113, whichis parallelto the top edge of the platform and lies in the same plane asthe platform. A motor 114 is mounted on the top edge of the platform,and supplies power to a gear box 115 which drives the shaft. To lowerthe wall, the motor is turned on to unwind the support cables from theirrespective drums and gently place the lower edge of the wall on thefoundation bearings.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that the inventionprovides apparatus for quickly and easily setting a pre-cast unit suchas a wall into place. Although the invention has been described withparticular reference to a wall, it is also suitable for other units suchas columns, beams, roofs, etc., in short, for almost any structural unitused in building.

With the invention, the pre-'cast unit is tilted into place within amatter of hours after pouring, because the unit is supported by theplatform as it is tilted so that there is a minimum amount of stressdeveloped during the tilting operation. This is a marked improvementover prior practice when pre-cast units were picked up at one edge andtilted, using an opposite edge as a fulcrum. The large stresses imposedon the units by the prior practice required that they be cured to anadvanced stage to insure having adequate strength to withstand thetilting operation, thereby increasing the time required between castingand tilting.

More important, the invention eliminates the need of heavy cranes orhoists to tilt a unit into place and thereby eliminates the cost ofVsuch equipment and the crew necessary for its operation. With thepresent invention, a wall can easily be cast and raised into place bytwo men, and if necessary, Vby one man. As far as is known, there is nolimit to the size of the units that can be cast. Walls more than 100feet in length and 24 feet high have been successfully cast and erectedas described above.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and Iabove the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, means for tiltingthe platform from a horizontal to an upright posi-tion, support meansdisposed above said platform when in horizontal position and includingportions extending through said mold and secured to the upper edge ofthe unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting the unitwhen tilted to the upright position, means fastening the support meansto the upper edge of the platform in the upright position includingmeans for lowering the,

upper edge of the unit downward with respect to the platform when tiltedto the upright position, the lower edge of the unit being disposed overthe foundation when first tilted to the upright position, and means foroperating the lowering means of said fastening means to lower thesupport means relative to the platform until Vthe lower edge of the unitrests on 4the foundation.

2. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on topy of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge ofthe unit when in the upright position, means for tiltingthe platform from a horizontal to an upright position, a rst threadedmember disposed above said platform when in horizontal position andincluding portions extending through said mold and secured to the upperedge of the unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting theunit when tilted to the upright position, a second threaded memberengaged with the rst threaded member and secured to the upper edge ofthe platform in the upright position to hold the first threaded memberand permit it to be moved downwardly with respect to the platform whentilted to Ithe upright position, the lower edge of the unit `beingdisposed over the foundation when rst tilted to the upright position,and means for rotating the two threaded members with respect to eachother to lower the unit relative to the platform until the lower edge ofthe un-it rests on the foundation.

3. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a at smooth bottom and a movableside which forms the bottom edge of the unit when in the uprightposition, means for tilting the platform from a horizontal to an uprightposition, support means disposed above said platform when in horizontalposition and including portions extending through said mold and securedto the upper edge of the unit when tilted to the upright position forsupporting the unit when tilted to the upright position, means fasteningthe support means to the upper edge of the platform in the uprightposition including means for lowering the upper edge of the unitdownward with respect to the platform when tilted to the uprightposition, the lower edge of the unit being disposed over the foundationwhen first tilted to the upright position, and means for operating thelowering means of said fastening means to lower the support meansrelative to the platform until the lower edge of the unit rests on thefoundation.

4.,. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to anupright position on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffolddisposed -adjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on thescalfold over the foundation to tilt along a line adjacent one edge of ythe platform from a horizontal to an upright position,

a mold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, 4the mold `including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, means for tiltingthe platform from a horizontal to an upright position, support meansdisposed above said platform when in horizontal position and includingportions extending through said mold and Isecured to the upper edge fofthe unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting the unitwhen tilted to the upright position, means fastening the support meansto the upper edge of the platform in the upright position includingmeans for lowering the upper edge of the unit downward with respect tothe platform when tilted to lthe upright position, the lower edge of theunit,` being disposed over the foundation when first tilted to theupright position, and means for operating the lowering means lof saidfastening means to lower the support means relative to the platformuntil the lower edge of the unit rests on the foundation.

5. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge 'of the unit when in the upright position, a cylinder andpiston pivotally connected to the platform and scaffold for tilting theplatform from a horizontal to an upright position, support meansdisposed above said platform when in horizontal position and includingportions extending through said mold and secured to the upper edge ofthe unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting the unitwhen tilted to the upright position, means fastening the support meansto lthe upper edge o-f the platform in the upright position includingmeans for lowering the upper edge lof the unit downward with respect tothe platform when tilted to the upright position, the lower edge o-f theunit being disposed over the foundation when first tilted to the uprightposition, and means for operating the lowering means of said fasteningmeans to lower the support means relative to the platform until thelower4 edge of the unit rests on the foundation.

6. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, a rigid frameattached to the bottom of the platform, a cylinder and piston pivotallyattached between the frame and the scaffold for tilting the platformfrom a horizontal to an upright position, support means disposed abovesaid platform when in horizontal position and including portionsextending through said mold and secured to the upper edge of the unitwhen tilted to the upright position for; supporting the unit when tiltedto the upright position, means fastening the support means to the upperedge of the platform in the upright position including means forlowering the upper edge `of the unit downward with respect totheplatform when tilted to the upright position, the lower edge of the unitbeing disposed over the foundation when first tilted to the uprightposition, and means for operating the lowering means of said fasteningmeans to lower the support means relative -tothe platform until thelower edge of the unit rests on the foundation.

7. Apparatus for erecting la pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the `apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the Q t foundation, a platform mounted on thescaffold over the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an uprightposition, a mold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platformwhen in the horizontal position, the mold including a movable side whichforms the bottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, meansfor tilting the platform from a horizontal to an upright position, aplurality of spaced support means disposed above said platform when inhorizontal position and including portions extending through said moldand secured to the upper edge of the unit when tilted to the uprightposition for supporting the unit when tilted to the upright position,separate means fastening each support means to the upper edge of theplatform in the upright position including means for lowering the upperedge of the unit downward with respect to the platform when tilted tothe upright position, the lower edge of the unit being disposed over thefoundation when first tilted to the upright position, and means forsimultaneously operating the lowering means of said separate fasteningmeans to lower the support means relative to the platform until thelower edge of the unit rests on the foundation. A

8. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, means for tiltingthe platform from a horizontal to an upright position, support meansdisposed above said platform when in horizontal position and includingportions extending through said mold and secured to the upper edge ofthe unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting the unitwhen tilted to the upright position, means fastening the support meansto the upper edge of the platform in the upright position includingmeans for lowering the upper edge of the unit downward with respect tothe platform when tilted to the upright position, the lower edge of theunit being disposed over the foundation when first tilted to the uprightposition, means for operating the lowering means of said fastening meansto lower the support means relative to the platform until the lower edgeof the unit rests on the foundation, an arch wire secured to theplatform at spaced locations and disposed over the mold, and meansdisposed between the platform and an intermediate portion of the wire tobear against the wire and platform to place the wire in tension.

9. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, a plurality ofspaced cylinders and pistons pivotally attached to the platform andscaffold for tilting the platform from a horizontal to an uprightposition, support means disposed above said platform when in horizontalposition and including portions extending through said mold and securedto the upper edge of the unit when tilted to the upright position forsupporting the unit when tilted to the upright position, means fasteningthe support means to the upper edge of the platform in the uprightposition including means for lowering the upper edge of the unitdownward with respect to the platform when tilted to the uprightposition, the lower edge of the unit being disposed over the foundationwhen rst tilted to the upright position, means for operating thelowering means of said fastening means to lower the support meansrelative to the platform until the lower edge of the unit rests on thefoundation, a plurality of arch wire sections, each section disposedunder the platform and secured at its opposite ends to the platformadjacent the attachment of adjacent pistons to said platform andextending in the same general direction as the axis about which theplatform pivots, and means disposed between the platform and wire tobear against the bottom of the platform and the wire between its ends.

10. Apparatus for erecting a pre-cast unit'from horizontal to an uprightposition on a foundation, the `apparatus including a scaffold disposedadjacent and above the foundation, a platform mounted on the scaffoldover the foundation to tilt from a horizontal to an upright position, amold for forming the pre-cast unit on top of the platform when in thehorizontal position, the mold including a movable side which forms thebottom edge of the unit when in the upright position, a plurality ofspaced means for tilting the platform from a horizontal to an uprightposition, means for separately actuating each of the tilting means,means for sensing the relative position of the tilt ing means, and meansfor independently deactuating at least one of the tilting means inresponse to its position to another tilting means, support meansdisposed above said platform when in horizontal position and includingportions extending through said mold and secured to the upper edge ofthe unit when tilted to the upright position for supporting the unitwhen tilted to the upright position, means fastening the support meansto the upper edge of the platform in the upright position includingmeans for lowering the upper edge of the unit downward with respect tothe platform when tilted to the upright position, the lower edge of theunit beingdisposed over the foundation when rst tilted to the uprightposition, and means for operating the lowering means of said fasteningmeans to lower the support means relative to the platform until thelower edge of the unit rests on the foundation.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,023,349 4/1912Aiken 25-131 1,148,246 7/1915 Marvin 25--1 1,538,815 5/1925 Hunter 25-11,563,798 12/ 1925 Sargeant 25-131 2,867,111 1/ 1959 Youtz. 2,895,2047/1959 Olsson 25-1 FOREIGN PATENTS 915,724 7/1946 France. 1,051,673 9/1953 France. 1,132,507 11/1956 France.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

R. F. WHITE, WILLIAM I. STEPHENSON,

Examiners.

G. A. KAP, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A PRE-CAST UNIT FROM HORIZONTAL TO AN UPRIGHTPOSITION ON A FOUNDATION, THE APPARATUS INCLUDING A SCAFFOLD DISPOSEDADJACENT AND ABOVE THE FOUNDATION, A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON THE SCAFFOLDOVER THE FOUNDATION TO TILT FROM A HORIZONTAL TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, AMOLD FOR FORMING THE PRE-CAST UNIT ON TOP OF THE PLATFORM WHEN IN THEHORIZONTAL POSITION, THE MOLD INCLUDING A MOVABLE SIDE WHICH FORMS THEBOTTOM EDGE OF THE UNIT WHEN IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, MEANS FOR TILTINGTHE PLATFORM FROM A HORIZONTAL TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, SUPPORT MEANSDISPOSED ABOVE SAID PLATFORM WHEN IN HORIZONTAL POSITION AND INCLUDINGPORTIONS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID MOLD AND SECURED TO THE UPPER EDGE OFTHE UNIT WHEN TILTED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION FOR SUPPORTING